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Home » Recipes » Main Dish » Pasta » Caprese Pasta

Caprese Pasta

By: Liz  /  Published: March 21, 2023  /  Updated: March 21, 2023  /   Leave a comment

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Looking for quick and easy pasta dishes that are bursting with fresh-from-the-garden flavors? Try this delicious Caprese Pasta! This twist on the classic caprese salad combines pasta with juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella cheese, and fragrant basil leaves, all tossed in a simple yet flavorful garlic and olive oil sauce.

So gather your ingredients, and let’s make Caprese Pasta – a tomato basil mozzarella pasta recipe you’ll want to make over and over again.

caprese pasta in bowl

Why You’ll Love Caprese Pasta

  • Classic Italian flavors
  • Ideal quick and easy lunch or light dinner idea
  • Simple ingredients
  • Fresh from the garden taste
  • Ready in about 20 minutes!

Key Ingredients

ingredients for caprese pasta
  • Pasta – I love, love, love using tonnarelli pasta (see my tip below), but you can use spaghetti, angel hair, or even thin linguine.
  • Extra virgin olive oil – for this pasta dish, I use one that’s infused with basil, but any good quality EVOO is fine.
  • Fresh tomatoes – one pint of grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes should do the trick!
  • Fresh garlic
  • Fresh mozzarella cheese – either mozzarella pearls (what I use) or a mozzarella ball torn into small pieces.
  • Fresh basil leaves – cut into thin strips
  • Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper
  • Crushed red pepper flakes – optional for a kick of heat

Tip: My Tonnarelli pasta comes with my Wildgrain box every month – the bread/bakery/pasta subscription box I keep raving about!

Read more: Wildgrain Box (Is the Bread Subscription Box Worth the Price?)

Wildgrain Box Discount Code

Save $10 on your first Wildgrain subscription box order AND get free croissants for the life of your subscription when you shop through this link and use Wildgrain coupon code EMM10 at checkout.

Get $10 off your first box! It’s a must-have this Spring!

Caprese Pasta Directions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta al dente according to the package directions. Reserve two cups of pasta water. Drain pasta; set aside.

cooked tonnarelli pasta

Step 2: Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and seasoning; cook for about one minute before adding tomatoes. Let tomatoes cook for a few minutes until they soften and blister, stirring several times.

sauteeing garlic and seasoning in olive oil
cut tomatoes in skillet
sauteed tomatoes in skillet

Step 3: Add drained pasta and ½ cup of the reserved pasta water, tossing until pasta is fully coated with the sauce, adding a little more water if needed.

tonnarelli and tomatoes in skillet
pasta and tomatoes in skillet

Step 4: Remove pan from heat and add basil and mozzarella balls, tossing to combine all the ingredients.

mixing pasta, tomatoes, basil and mozzarella in skillet

Step 5: Serve immediately.

pasta caprese

Cooking Tip: How to Cut Basil For Cooking

  • Rinse the leaves under cold water and pat dry. Remove leaves from stems.
  • Stack the basil leaves on top of each other, facing the same direction.
  • Roll the stacked basil leaves into a tight cigar-like cylinder.
  • Chiffonade: Slice the leaves crosswise into thin ribbons.
basil ribbons

Frequently Asked Questions

Should caprese pasta be served hot or cold?

Caprese pasta is at its best when served immediately after preparation. However, refrigerated leftovers can be served as a creamy caprese pasta salad, though you may need to add a drizzle of olive oil to moisten the noodles.

Can I add meat to pasta caprese?

Sure! Either grilled chicken or shrimp would work well with tomatoes, mozzarella.

Can I add balsamic vinegar?

Many classic caprese salad recipes do end with a drizzle of balsamic glaze over the top, so if that’s your preference, go for it.

Can I add Parmesan cheese?

Of course. You could garnish the tomatoes, mozzarella, and pasta with it when serving.

forkful of caprese pasta

What to Serve with Tomato and Mozzarella Pasta

Honestly, it’s a complete meal on its own (or a great side dish to meat), but it also goes beautifully with freshly baked bread like my Slow-Fermented 3-Seed Bread from Wildgrain. (See the below photo.)

caprese pasta

Other Recipes You’ll Love

  • Caprese Quiche with Meatballs
  • BBQ Pulled Pork English Muffins
  • Red Raspberry Croissant Bread Pudding
  • Fresh Italian Salad
  • Pasta Fagioli
pasta caprese in bowl on table

Caprese Pasta

Liz – Eat Move Make
This twist on the classic caprese salad combines pasta with juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella cheese, and fragrant basil leaves, all tossed in a simple yet flavorful garlic and olive oil sauce.
5 from 41 votes
Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Entree, Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6
Calories 421 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz pasta
  • reserved pasta water as needed
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes, or more to taste
  • 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes halved
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 8 oz mozzarella pearls
  • ½ cup chopped basil

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta al dente according to the package directions. Reserve two cups of pasta water. Drain pasta; set aside.
  • Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and seasoning; cook for about one minute before adding tomatoes. Let tomatoes cook until they soften and blister, stirring occasionally.
  • Add drained pasta and ½ cup of the reserved pasta water, tossing until pasta is fully coated with the sauce, adding a little more water if needed.
  • Remove pan from heat and add basil and mozzarella balls, tossing to combine all the ingredients. Serve immediately.

Notes

How to Cut Basil
  • Rinse the leaves under cold water and pat dry. Remove leaves from stems.
  • Stack the basil leaves on top of each other, facing the same direction.
  • Roll the stacked basil leaves into a tight cigar-like cylinder.
  • Chiffonade: Slice the leaves crosswise into thin ribbons.
Delicious served with warm bread. 
All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only and nutrition may vary according to exact products and the online nutrition calculator being used. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on EatMoveMake.com should only be used as a general guideline.

Nutrition

Calories: 421kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 17gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 343mgPotassium: 359mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1049IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 222mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

About Liz

Liz is a midwestern mom gone southern (accent in transition). She lives in North Carolina and loves cooking, baking, traveling, movies, crafts, hot and cold tea, wine, pizza and the occasional nap. She also revels in the fact she's a crazy cat lady.

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Welcome!

I’m Liz! Thank you for visiting Eat Move Make. Here you will find a collection of easy & delicious year-round recipes, seasonal ideas, and DIY craft inspiration. Visit my About Me page for more of my story.

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Hey there, i’m Liz!

I’m the founder of Eat Move Make and a North Carolina mom of two humans and six cats. I love to cook, bake, craft and travel. I’m also addicted to tea (but not sweet tea).

When I’m not creating something in my kitchen, and since my kids are now adults, I’m all about my bucket list of travel destinations and adventures.

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